Chapter 7: Misinformation

Inside the county office, Deputy County Magistrate Liu reported the recent situation to Xu Xiaoyao.

Based on eyewitness accounts, the Demon Suppression Department deduced that the creature was a third-tier demon beast, with strength slightly below the peak of Qi Refinement.

Xu Xiaoyao was capable of defeating a third-tier demon beast, though the process would be arduous.

The only variable here was the reckless Chu Chen.

“Gentlemen, you’ve been traveling tirelessly. Why not rest here at the county office for the night? Gather your strength and set out again tomorrow morning,” Xu Xiaoyao suggested, looking at the exhausted group.

“Then we will follow the host’s lead,” someone replied.

As soon as the words left their mouth, Zhao Xiaoshi’s body went limp, appearing drowsy.

“Finally, I can sleep on a bed…”

“County Magistrate, do you have any bathwater?” Cheng Meimei asked, then explained, “We’ve been in the carriage these past few days, and I’m covered in sweat and grime.”

Deputy Magistrate Liu hesitated momentarily before immediately ordering servants to heat water for bathing.

“Is there anyone else who needs bathwater, besides Xu Xiaoyao?”

Everyone else nodded in need.

Chu Chen soaked in the steaming bathwater, a profound comfort radiating through his body. All exhaustion seemed to vanish in this moment.

He submerged himself fully, leaving only his head above the water.

“Ahhh… this is so comfortable.”

“How could Xu Xiaoyao refuse such a simple pleasure as a bath?”

“Looking at such a neat and tidy girl, would she really go to bed without washing?”

Suddenly, Chu Chen sprang up and stepped out of the wooden tub.

Grabbing a towel, he wiped himself down quickly, dressed at lightning speed, swallowed a Strength Pill, and took two square spirit stones in his hands before dashing rapidly toward Huangling.

Xu Xiaoyao, I wondered why you didn’t bathe. You’re going to Huangling alone—then my trip was for nothing!

Just as Chu Chen suspected, Xu Xiaoyao feared someone might sabotage the mission and decided to go alone.

By going alone to Huangling, she could both complete the task and bring Chu Chen back intact.

Xu Xiaoyao gripped her long sword, walking along Huangling.

Soon, the rustling of footsteps came from behind.

She pretended not to hear, continuing to feign the appearance of a passerby.

“Whoosh…”

A massive black shadow suddenly appeared before Xu Xiaoyao.

“It’s here,” she murmured, switching to a two-handed grip on her sword, circulating spiritual energy through her meridians.

The demon beast was slender but powerful, with thick limbs. At its neck sprouted two heads—a human head and a wolf’s head.

The human head drooped lifelessly, while the wolf’s eyes glowed green, emitting low growls.

The beast’s intelligence was immature. Xu Xiaoyao slowly retreated, putting on a frightened expression.

The beast took the bait, leaping toward its prey.

Before it landed, Xu Xiaoyao halted abruptly and spun around, thrusting her sword into midair.

The sudden move caught the beast off guard.

To avoid being gutted, the beast twisted in midair and crashed down before its target.

The sword’s blade cut into its ribs, leaving a terrible wound from which blood flowed freely.

Without a killing strike, Xu Xiaoyao knew a fierce battle was about to begin.

“Huff…”

Facing her opponent squarely, she adjusted her breathing and slowed the flow of spiritual energy.

The beast didn’t rush a second attack but slowly concealed itself in the shadows.

Around them, silence reigned—only the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Xu Xiaoyao vigilantly scanned her surroundings, wary of any potential ambush.

What is it waiting for?

For me to let my guard down?

Or has it already fled in fear?

As she pondered, a shadow suddenly appeared before her.

She didn’t have time to see what it was. Her body flashed, and her sword stabbed toward the shadow.

“Wood?”

The sword pierced a piece of wood. Out of the corner of her eye, Xu Xiaoyao saw a huge wolf’s head silently emerge behind her.

“Bang!”

A tremendous force struck her, hurling her backward.

She crashed through three small trees before a sturdy trunk stopped her fall.

The impact was severe; she felt her insides twist painfully.

Her consciousness blurred, nearly losing her senses.

“Thud!”

Xu Xiaoyao fell from the tree, sharp pain radiating from her abdomen.

She got up and saw that a twig about the thickness of a finger had pierced her belly.

The battle raged on, and the beast gave no chance to remove the branch.

In a flash, it appeared before her, pinning her down with massive front paws.

The overwhelming demon energy made Xu Xiaoyao realize the truth.

This was not a third-tier demon beast, but a fourth-tier.

The enormous wolf’s head drew close, its fierce breath carrying a foul stench, recklessly slapping her face.

Xu Xiaoyao made a final struggle, circulating spiritual energy to resist the claws of the fourth-tier beast.

Sensing this spiritual power, the beast tightened its grip.

Xu Xiaoyao spat a mouthful of blood as the beast’s huge paw lifted her and flung her upward.

Suspended in midair, Xu Xiaoyao inadvertently became a beacon for Chu Chen.

Having just arrived at Huangling, he saw someone leap into the air, executing a Heavenly Flying Immortal strike.

“Damn it!”

Chu Chen cursed and madly sprinted toward the figure performing the Heavenly Flying Immortal.

“Faster, faster! At least leave me something warm…”

His eyes locked on the figure in midair, determined to strike the demon beast before Xu Xiaoyao landed.

“Heh…”

In midair, Xu Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, puzzled at why Chu Chen’s illusion appeared.

Did I really expect a nascent Qi cultivator to come rescue me?

Such an unrealistic fantasy.

Xu Xiaoyao closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate.

Everyone in the Demon Suppression Department was prepared to die at the hands of demon beasts — she was no exception.

“Bang! Bang!”

The sound of trees snapping echoed, and Xu Xiaoyao suddenly opened her eyes wide.

This was no illusion—Chu Chen had really come.

Holding something that glimmered faintly in the darkness, he charged forward, smashing through trees without care, as if daring anything blocking his path to die.

Like when he first encountered the toad demon, he rushed forward with anxious excitement.

The wolf-headed demon turned toward the noise and saw a great tree crashing down, scattering leaves and grass.

The swirling leaves had barely settled when a figure stirred them into a vortex.

The beast’s pupils dilated instantly, hairs bristling on its back.

Its raised tail tucked tightly between its legs.

The newcomer was urgent—seemingly desperate to kill it.

In that moment, the demon felt like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Overwhelmed by terror, it wanted to flee.

After a moment’s hesitation, the figure arrived before it.

Whatever weapon he wielded, the beast’s mind shattered swiftly.

Caught in a pincer attack, the damage was quick and merciless, without much pain.

“Bang!”

The wolf-headed demon perished, as Xu Xiaoyao landed.

“Finally made it in time…”

Chu Chen stood panting heavily.

Once his breath steadied, he began to complain:

“Is there any sense of teamwork? Running off alone to kill a demon is one thing, but why didn’t you bring me along?”

Receiving no reply, Chu Chen glanced aside.

Xu Xiaoyao stood there, staring at him in disbelief.

A fourth-tier demon beast, killed by him in a single move?

Chu Chen was shocked as well. Xu Xiaoyao’s lips bled, her body battered, and the twig still embedded in her abdomen.